High School Musical star reveals her father has stage 4 cancer
Actress Vanessa Hudgens was on hand at the 2015 Industry Dance Awards in Los Angeles when she revealed that her father is battling cancer.
The 26-year old performer was at the bash with benefits a charity for dancers who have survived cancer. The Circle of Hope charity supports dancers who are cancer survivors and getting back into the industry.
She told the audience that her boyfriend Austin Butler, also an actor, had lost his mother to the disease.
Vanessa was accepting the Breakthrough Performance award at the ceremony and in a touching moment dedicated the award to her father and to Austin’s mother. She said:
''Last year, my boyfriend, Austin, lost his mom, Lori, to cancer, and my dad has just been recently diagnosed with stage four cancer. Let me tell you, I hate cancer. I hate cancer with every cell of my being.''
Entertainment Tonight reports that she also talked about the strength which people need to get through such a difficult time for their family or friends.
She said she wished to dedicate the award to the “families out there who are struggling with this, because it really takes a strong person and a strong family to be able to help those out who are going through this.''
A month ago, the star took to social media to ask her fans to pray for her father and for his “healing”, she told her fans “the more prays the better”.
While she had mention back then her father was unwell, it was not until last night that she chose to reveal the nature of his illness.
